Confused: GVWR vs. Tire Load Rating

[GMC]

OK, I have a 154BH with an empty weight of 2425 lbs. The tires are load range C so a max weight of 1360. Two tires makes a total of 2720 lbs. on the axel, minus tongue weight, I should be good to go. However they advertise and the sticker says the GVWR of the trailer is 3200 lbs. So if I understand this right, I really can't run the trailer much over the empty weight without maxing out or overloading the tires. These are the factory tires, so why would they not even be able to handle the GVWR of the trailer? Am I over thinking this? I've been thinking of upgrading to a D range which would at least give me a load rating equal to the GVWR.

As a follow up if I did go to a D rated tire, does anyone have any suggestions? Kenda Karrier tires are the only ones I've seen in a 175/80/13 with a D rating. What you all think?

[eldermike]

Not sure if a 185/80/13 6 ply tire would fit on your rig but that would give you 1000lbs over what you have.

[Rustic Eagle]

Not sure you accounted for the tongue weight correctly, but your correct, the RV manufactures (not just Jayco) cut the tire load ratings to close.

RV and WDH manufactures recommend the loaded tongue weight be 10% to 15% of the trailer loaded weight.

Using your 3,200lb GVWR, a 13% (average) loaded tongue weight would be 416lbs...., (3,200 - 416lbs) = 2,784lb load on the tires. The tongue weight is supported by the TV.

So (2,720lb Tires - 2,784lb Trailer) = 64lbs short @ the tires (based on trailer at GVWR)

So it's doable, just load the tongue weight at 15% of the GVWR (I know, not the right answer).

Bob

[tjpolsin]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Not sure you accounted for the tongue weight correctly, but your correct, the RV manufactures (not just Jayco) cut the tire load ratings to close.

RV and WDH manufactures recommend the loaded tongue weight be 10% to 15% of the trailer loaded weight.

Using your 3,200lb GVWR, a 13% (average) loaded tongue weight would be 416lbs...., (3,200 - 416lbs) = 2,784lb load on the tires. The tongue weight is supported by the TV.

So (2,720lb Tires - 2,784lb Trailer) = 64lbs short @ the tires (based on trailer at GVWR)

So it's doable, just load the tongue weight at 15% of the GVWR (I know, not the right answer).

Bob

Its amazing what the manufacturer tries to get by the user. "no one loads to max gross anyway, so we can put lighter tires on it. who will notice?"

based on Bob's calculations, your new GVWR for your TT is now 3073# (tire rating + 13% tongue weight)

[eldermike]

The last two campers I purchased the OEM tires never made a single loaded trip. I looked at them as a shipping method from factory to dealer while understanding they had no further use.

[donnajk]

Purchased new tires and rims after 3500 miles on our new camper last summer. After dealer refusal to give any help or information. (We feared it was an axel problem). Bought st205/7514 rated 1760 pounds. Came with 13 inch tires. These work fine and seem to be carrying the ultra featherweight x17z tt.